DEERFIELD, IL -- Mondelēz International said it has partnered with The Kitchen, Israel's only FoodTech-focused incubator. This collaboration is led by Mondelēz International’s R&D and SnackFutures teams, the company’s innovation and venture hub aimed at unlocking snacking growth opportunities around the world.

Through the collaboration, Mondelēz International will have access and visibility to one of the world’s leading food tech ecosystems. At the same time, Mondelēz International will offer technological and commercial expertise to entrepreneurs from The Kitchen and provide an opportunity to work in the company’s global technical centers, including access to pilot plants and internal experts across a variety of areas such as R&D, food safety, marketing insights and operations.

“With over 6,600 active start-up companies and a steady growth year on year, the Israeli innovation ecosystem is one of the most dynamic in the world and we’re thrilled to be part of it,” said Mondelēz International executive vice-president and chief growth officer Tim Cofer. “We’re looking to collaborate with the best and brightest talent in advancing the future of snacking. We know we don’t have all the answers within our four walls, so we’re on a mission to create an unconventional ecosystem of partners. The collaboration with The Kitchen is another great example of this ecosystem at play.”

Counting 12 portfolio companies so far, Ashdod, Israel-based The Kitchen addresses global food challenges by investing in cutting-edge technology startups. The goal is to nourish promising food tech ventures that can disrupt the global food system -- making it more productive, more affordable, more sustainable and healthier.

As part of the collaboration, Rob Hargrove, executive vice-president of research, development and quality at Mondelēz International, joined The Kitchen Advisory Council. “There’s no doubt that Israel is a world leader in food and agricultural innovation, and we’ve been truly inspired by the talented entrepreneurs that are part of The Kitchen,” said Hargrove. “We’re looking forward to collaborate with those start-ups, be it to jointly develop new technologies or to provide help and expertise in specific fields.”

With 2018 net revenues of approximately $26 billion, Mondelēz’s brands, popular in vending and micromarkets, include Oreo, belVita, Cadbury, Sour Patch Kids and Trident gum.